The Dow Program seeks to reestablish journalism as part of a genuine liberal arts education—a general branch of knowledge, not a specialty. Students will be trained to consider journalism as informed by economics, finance, history, literature, philosophy, politics, religion, the law, science, and the enduring norms of Western civilization.

The second goal is to restore basic standards: good reading skills, good writing skills, good logical thinking skills, good speaking skills. These goals mirror the school’s overall commitment as ratified by its recent ten-year reaccreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

The third goal will be normative, critical inquiry. Journalism is one of the chief means we use to pass on to our posterity the normative knowledge of our culture. Bad journalism adulterates and degrades culture. Good journalism fosters and improves our culture. Students will be educated to discern bad journalism and good journalism in keeping with Plato’s purpose of an education: “to see things as they are.”

The fourth goal involves professional leadership. Having educated students in traditional journalistic competence, we will aid these students in finding suitable employment to effect the desired renaissance. These students are the vanguard who will replace current biased journalism practices with normative journalism practices.